Clarence “Bootise” Floyd Cook, Jr. peacefully died on February 24, 2024 at 86. He was in his family’s warm and loving embrace at his residence in Avon Park, Florida. Born on September 6, 1937, in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bootsie was a devoted son to the late Clarence Floyd Cook, Sr. and Athali Crawford Cook.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Cook.

Clarence “Bootise” Floyd Cook, Jr.

Bootsie was a long-time Warren County, Virginia resident and a graduate of Warren County High School, class of 1958. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963, dedicating himself to his country with the same commitment he applied to every aspect of his life.  He later attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, cultivating his talent and intellect.  Following graduation, he embarked on a long and fulfilling career as a Respiratory Therapist, a role in which he provided care and comfort to countless individuals. He worked at Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, Virginia, from 1973 – 1978.  He then worked at Walker Memorial Hospital and Florida Hospital Heartland Division in Highlands County, Florida, from 1978 until his retirement in 2016.

A devout member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, he worshipped faithfully at the Front Royal Seventh-Day Adventist Church and, upon relocating, the Avon Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Bootsie was a man whose hobbies were as rich and varied as his character. He was a fervent collector, his interests encompassing coins, stamps, gems, and fossils. His talents extended to the arts of woodworking and photography, through which he expressed his creativity and love for beauty.  He spent many years building his skills in repelling and scuba diving which was beneficial when he joined the Front Royal Search and Rescue.  Active in the speleological community, he was a member of the National Speleological Society and the Underground Explorers Club alongside his friends Tony Marchi and Sam Dunaway.

He leaves behind his cherished wife, Sandra Ross Garbers Cook; his children, Cassandra Cook, Robin Cook, Kimberly Hirsch (Michael), and Michael Cook; his dear grandchildren, Alexandra Evans, Jordan Wilson (Lane), Michaeli Hirsch, Dakota Hirsch,  Corey McHargue, and Kevin McHargue; and his beloved great-grandchildren, Carson Evans, Gibson Evans, Zayne McHargue, and Luella Wilson. He will also be fondly remembered by his brother, Robert Cook; his sister, Anna Sue Cooper; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:00 am at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal, Virginia. Interment will follow at Panorama Memorial Gardens, where Bootsie will be laid to rest. Maddox Funeral Home is overseeing the arrangements.

Thomas Charles Clark, Sr., 88, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Winchester, Virginia.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 29, at 1:00 p.m. in Prospect Hill Cemetery, with Sammy Campbell officiating.

Mr. Clark was born July 15, 1935, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of the late Oscar H. Clark, Sr. and Hazel Clark.

He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954-1957, gaining the rank of Corporal. He was very proud of his service to our country. Mr. Clark played football for Warren County High School and, in 1953, went to the state championship game.

He retired as an aircraft fueler after 40 years from Allied Aviation at Reagan National and Dulles Airports. In his retirement, he enjoyed selling refurbished fishing rods, military items, and other collectibles at the Front Royal Flea Market.

Survivors include his children, Thomas Clark, Jr. (Donna) of Front Royal, Kathy Farrior of Stephens City, Elaine Collins of Asheboro, North Carolina, and Kent Garner (Pat) of Burlington, North Carolina; sister, Joyce Davis of Front Royal; grandchildren, Kyle Farrior, Holly Kennedy, Bryan and Jonathon Garner, Melodi Miller and Bradley Collins; and great-grandchildren, Jordan and Sarah Farrior, Isaiah, Faith, Jacey, Ava and Quest Garner, Clark, Canaan and Abigail Miller, and soon to arrive, Tucker Kennedy.

On September 18, 1959, he married “Bert” Clark, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Oscar H. Clark, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 29, from 12-1 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

Tazuye “Clara” Bishop entered eternal life on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 97. Her memory is carried on by her loving family and many friends.

Mrs. Bishop, also known as Granny, Clara, Clare, Mom, and Great-Granny, led a big life. She was born in 1926 in Elk Grove, CA. After WWII, she moved to Japan and met her husband of over 65 years, Willard Bishop. They traveled the world together, raised a family, and met many friends. Clara was a resolute and proud military wife who moved her family and managed a household while stationed in Austria, France, Alaska, and Virginia.

Clara had many interests. She was an amazing and talented seamstress, card player, and gardener. She was a huge sports enthusiast and, in her day, quite the basketball player. She loved her Church and Church Family from Front Royal United Methodist Church.  She had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed her friends immensely, and loved her family unconditionally.

She is survived by her children, Linda Leady (Steve), JoAnne Taylor, and James Bishop; her grandchildren, Patrick Leady (Jen), Laura Ferst (Anthony), and Jesse Bishop; and her great-grandchildren, Julia Leady, Stellarose Ferst, and Blake Ferst.

Clara is reunited with her husband, Willard Bishop, his brothers, her six siblings, and many other family and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Front Royal United Methodist Church, 1 W. Main St., Front Royal, with The Rev. Rachel Plemmons officiating. The family invites guests to visit one hour before the service. Following the service, a burial will occur in Culpeper National Cemetery, 305 U.S. Avenue, Culpeper, Virginia.

In place of flowers, please make donations to Blue Ridge Hospice or Front Royal United Methodist Church.

Richard William Smelser Sr., 82, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away at his home on Friday, June 21, 2024.

Funeral services will be private.

Mr. Smelser was born in Front Royal on February 7, 1942, to the late Bennie and Clara Mathews Smelser.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Smelser; three brothers, Lloyd Smelser, Roger Smelser, and Lee Smelser; grandson, Chad Smelser; and granddaughter, Stacey Prechtel.  He retired from Perry Engineering.

Survivors include his son, Richard William Smelser Jr. (Vanessa Van Meter); two daughters, Joyce L. Smelser (Tommy Jenkins) and Jeanne A. Smelser (Jason Brittain); Brother, Larry Smelser (Marsha); sister, Lorraine Brannon; four grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and his dog, Buddy.

In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

Pauline Jane Wharton, 84, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away at Lavender Hills Assisted Living on Friday, June 21, 2024.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 11 AM at Prospect Hill Cemetery, with Sammy Campbell officiating.

Mrs. Wharton was born on March 29, 1940, in Browntown, Virginia, to the late Guy and Freida Smelser Compton.  Three sisters, Mary Simons, Aileen Hamrick, and Dorothy Rudacille, also preceded her in death.  She was a member of Rivermont Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Howard Wharton of Front Royal; son, Eugene Wharton (Sandy) of Stephens City, Virginia; twin brother, Paul Compton (Connie) of Front Royal; two brothers, Carl Compton of Front Royal and Lawrence Compton (Donna) of Smithfield, Tennessee and grandson, Reese Taylor of Stephens City.

In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

The family would like to thank Lavender Hills Assisted Living for loving and respectful care of Mrs. Wharton over the last 20 months.

Robert Joseph “Bob” Drinkwater, 89, of Front Royal, VA, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Robert Joseph “Bob” Drinkwater

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Front Royal, conducted by Rev. Tom Shepanzyk. A private burial will follow the service.

Born on August 31, 1934, in Warrenton, VA, Bob was preceded in death by his parents Edwin A. Drinkwater, Sr., and Veronica Quinn Drinkwater, and his brother Edwin A. “Peter” Drinkwater, Jr.

Bob embarked on a successful career after serving his country in the United States Marine Corps and Air Force Reserves. He managed air freight operations at the National Airport in Washington D.C. before returning to Front Royal to establish Roadrunner Maintenance Company, which he owned and operated for 45 years. A longtime pillar of the Front Royal community, Bob was a 55-year member of the Front Royal Elks Lodge.

Bob is survived by his wife, Julie Marguerite Drinkwater; his daughters are Teresa Drinkwater Embrey (Doug) and Ann Drinkwater, both of Front Royal.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Front Royal.